Cover photo for Leo E. “Rodney” Ambler's Obituary
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1919 Leo 2003

Leo E. “Rodney” Ambler

November 25, 1919 — August 5, 2003

Leo E. “Rodney” Ambler, 83, of 2256 Fairfield Blvd., Plymouth, died at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, August 5, 2003. Rodney, a Plymouth resident for most of his life, died, following a brief illness, in Pilgrim Manor, 222 Parkview St., Plymouth.

Born in Macy, Ind., on November 25, 1919, Rodney was the son of Leo F. and Leona M. DuBois Ambler. The class treasurer, he graduated from Plymouth’s Lincoln High School in 1938. He then went to Manchester College and studied business.

On February 14, 1940, Rodney was one of the first five young men in Marshall County to be drafted into the U.S. Army for service during World War II. He served in active duty until December of 1945.

On November 21, 1942, at Ft. McClellan, Ala., Rodney and Wilma M. Read were married. Rodney pursued a military career, serving in the Army Reserve and Civil Service for 33 years, retiring in 1980.

A member of the Plymouth Church of the Brethren since 1963, Rodney’s focus in life, was service to his church. He served on many boards, was a Deacon, and taught Sunday School.

He loved to read and did so at every chance. A patron of the Plymouth Public Library, he also volunteered at the St. Joseph Health Center.

He was a longtime member of the Plymouth Kiwanis Club and a 50 year-plus member of the Macy, Ind., Masonic Lodge.

Rodney is survived by Wilma, his wife of nearly 61 years, and by their four children, a son and three daughters.

They are: Arol E. and Marcia Ambler, Worchester, Mass.; Kathleen A. and Ward Horn, Indianapolis, Ind.; Janet S. and Warren Vannest, Loganville, Ga.; and Gwen E. and Thomas Taylor, Plymouth, Ind. Family life was of the utmost importance to Rodney, his twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren were all the more reason to arrange travel plans around family visits.

Several brothers and sister’s-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Rodney was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Veva Donaldson and JoAnn Shoemaker.

Friends may come to celebrate Rodney’s life from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2003, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth and one hour prior to sevices in the church.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2003, in the Plymouth Church of the Brethren, 1130 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. The Rev. Dave Kerkove, pastor of the church and the Rev. Joseph Horn, a grandson of Rodney and Wilma, will officiate.

Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Plymouth Church of the Brethren or to the St. Joseph Health Center, 116 E. Washington St., Plymouth.
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